"Why didn't anyone tell me about this virus" is a common reaction of parents when they hear that their baby is infected with cytomegalovirus or CMV.

Although more than half of the US population will be infected with this virus by The 40th year from life, and the disease is very common all over the world, very few people have even heard of this virus, reports "Science Alert" (Science Alert).

CMV belongs to the same family of viruses as chicken pox and herpes and, like those viruses, remains in the body for life. Most children and adults experience very mild symptoms after the initial infection. A healthy immune system usually manages to keep CMV under control, so people usually don't get sick, and often don't even know the virus is living in their body.

If there is a chance you can get sick from contracting this virus at any age, why is it important to understand CMV? Laura Gibson, an infectious disease and immunology specialist, has spent most of her career trying to answer that question. A big reason for this is the fact that CMV, unlike other viruses of that group, can pass from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy.

Congenital CMV is the most common type of infection before birth, as well as the largest infectious cause of birth defects. About one in 200 babies are born with congenital CMV each year, and nearly 20 percent of these babies have permanent neurodevelopmental problems such as cerebral palsy or deafness.

More children are born each year with congenital CMV than with Down syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome. Compared to later stages of pregnancy, CMV infection in the first trimester carries the highest risk of developing serious defects in the development of the immune system and organs, as well as stillbirth.

Rates of congenital CMV vary significantly among races, ethnicities, and other demographic factors, and the risk is higher for black and mixed-race children compared to white children.

CMV testing during pregnancy

Testing for rubella, HIV, and syphilis is routine practice in prenatal care in the United States. However, pregnant women are not tested for CMV.

Prenatal testing for CMV is not standard due to several complicating factors in the approach. Some available tests are difficult to interpret. The tests provide information about whether the parent has CMV, but cannot predict with sufficient quality the risk of transmission to the fetus or severe symptoms.

Prenatal testing of healthy individuals during uncomplicated pregnancies often does not provide useful information, because anyone can give birth to a baby with congenital CMV regardless of whether the test was positive or negative during pregnancy. CMV testing can be useful for pregnant women suffering from acute illnesses such as prolonged fever or exhaustion, but also in cases of problematic fetal ultrasound results.

Newborn testing

Like pregnant women, babies are also tested for many potentially serious diseases. There is an accurate test for CMV for newborns, and many studies support the theory of the benefits of early diagnosis. So why isn't there universal CMV testing for newborns?

Standardizing public health education and testing guidelines for the presence of this virus can reduce the rate of the disease, but also its burden on children and their families.

Spreading awareness, not contagion

A reduction in the incidence of congenital CMV infection is unlikely without increased awareness of the virus. Many people have never even heard of CMV and are unaware of the steps they can take to reduce their chances of contracting it during pregnancy.

Many adults are regularly exposed to one of the biggest risk factors for CMV infection: young children who often spend time in day care with large groups. Infections such as CMV are easily spread among children during play, group meals or diaper changes.

Children may appear perfectly healthy, but CMV may be present in saliva or urine for weeks or even months after infection. When a pregnant woman comes in contact with these fluids, she can also become infected.

Simple behavioral adjustments can significantly reduce the chances of infection. Pregnant women should not kiss their babies on the mouth, share food or cutlery and wash their hands frequently.

Education of the public, politicians and health professionals will certainly improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of CMV. This way, no parent will ever have to regret not knowing about this virus again.